Police: Gang Member Arrested In Attack On Sandy Victim

Navor Guererro, 20, who police say is a known member of the "Vatos Locos" street gang, was arrested Monday in connection with the attack on a New York City man staying in Yonkers after he was displaced by Hurricane Sandy.

YONKERS, N.Y. – A reputed Yonkers gang member has been arrested in the stabbing of a New York City man displaced by Hurricane Sandy, police said.

Navor Guererro, 20, who police say is a known member of the “Vatos Locos” street gang, was one of the men accused of assaulting and stabbing the 20-year-old man on Saturday.

The unidentified man has been staying at Leake and Watts along with 35 others from the St. John’s Residence for Boys since being displaced from their Rockaway facility as a result of Hurricane Sandy.

On Monday, police said the victim was approached by Guerrero as he was walking past 197 Valentine Lane around 5 p.m.

After Guerrero asked where he was from and if he had any gang affiliation, the New York City man was surrounded by several other men who punched and kicked him and he tried to walk past, police said.

As they pummeled the victim, the attackers made references to the “Vatos Locos” street gang, police said.

The New York City man eventually fought back and was able to escape, running back to the Leake and Watts campus. It was there he discovered he had been stabbed, twice in the back and once in the ear.

He was taken to Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx where he was treated for the injuries. A St. John's employee said Sunday morning the man had returned to Leake and Watts where he was recovering.

Police said they developed information on the attack after interviews with known gang members in the area. Guererro, who was arrested Sunday in connection with a separate dispute on South Broadway, was charged Monday in the attack.

In both incidents, Guerrero has been charged with second-degree assault, a felony, second-degree menacing, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, second-degree obstructing governmental administration, and resisting arrest, all misdemeanors. He was also charged with disorderly conduct, a violation.

Police said the Gang Unit will follow up on this investigation to possibly determine the identity of additional suspects and any other recent gang activity in the area.

Anyone who has any additional information on this assault can contact the Detective Division at 914-377-7724. All calls will remain confidential. Anonymous tips can also be sent to the tip411 anonymous texting program or through the YPD iPhone app.